These are the best mods to make Skyrim more realistic and more entertaining, all without changing the epic world of Skryim.
Update: Removes Improved Villages: Taverns due to incompatability with Moonpath to Elseweyr.
***If anyone has any suggestions

Enhanced Skyrim : Hearthfire

Collection by nrek [IgA]

Just a collection of workshop items I found to work really well together, without mucking up lore or gameplay. Keeps the game feeling fresh and looking great. Like a good shampoo.

total skyrim

Collection by anakia

World (Quest) Mods

Collection by theWarmaster

A collection of mods I've ran across that expand the lore-friendly universe of Skyrim. Adding new story lines or plots or what ever else there may be. Some of these mods will not work with other mods.
Continuation:
I've been using all these mods in-gam

TAMRIEL

Collection by TheCheeseKow

You must Have Dragonborn and Dawnguard for this to work!

Skyrim Upgrade

Collection by Captain Dead™

Skyrim mods

A Better Skyrim

Collection by amaldro

A Collection of 50 mods or less

Collection by Skyrimnut

This is a group of mods that have been tested to work together quite well. I purposefully wanted to keep the collection below 50, so unfortunately, many amazing mods didn't make this group. Some fix minor issues I had with the game. Some droppable quest